NCJ Number
223743
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 35 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2008 Pages: 848-862
Date Published
July 2008
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study identified any significant differences between the types of inmates who did and did not complete the Life Connections Program (LCP), which is an 18-month, faith-based residential program operating in five Federal prisons.
Abstract
The study found that those individuals who read the sacred writings of their religion more frequently were more likely to complete the program compared with those who apparently had little interest in reading such material. Also individuals with higher levels of self-worth were more likely to complete the program. Although level of self-esteem did not predict who volunteered to participate in the program, whether or not an individual completed the program was related to their level of self-esteem. It may be that participants with lower levels of self-esteem might have felt uncomfortable participating in some of the required activities, such as writing essays and sharing thoughts with others. Also, participants with higher levels of interest in community involvement were more likely to complete the program. Levels of previous misconduct were not important for either volunteering for or completing the program. Higher levels of motivation to change one’s behavior and life pattern may have been an important motivation for entering the program, but other factors were more important in predicting program completion. Data for this study were collected between July 2004 and February 2007 at the five prisons (one female institution and four male institutions). Out of a total of 1,094 LCP participants, 794 completed survey questionnaires. Religiosity measures were service attendance, denomination, prayer, and Bible study. Several scales were used to measure the level of inmate motivation for change, feeling of self-worth, and community awareness. 3 tables, 3 notes and 47 references